A Magickal Tradition

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DEDICATION

When an inquirer is found to be suitable for the Craft, but not yet ready for admission to a coven, a ceremony called “Dedication” may be performed. The purpose of this Rite is to call the attention of the Lady and the Horned God to the individual, and specifically to his/her desire to enter the Craft.

Dedication is not a formal or rigorous Rite. It may be performed at any time a Priestess or Priest desires, and when the candidate feels ready to receive it. Initially the occasion for the ceremony is solemn, as the candidate should feel that in being dedicated she/he is undertaking an obligation to do all that is in his/her way into the Craft and full participation in it. After the ritual ends the occasion is joyous, as the candidate has now started upon the road which will lead him/her to the Craft, and has acknowledged his/her beginning steps toward full participation.

All that is needed to perform the Dedication is a candle, although incense may also be used if desired. The symbolism of the light is in this instance rather obvious. Light, or knowledge, is at the end of the road on which the candidate is embarking. In being dedicated the candidate acknowledges that he/she is making a start on that road.

The candidate must either ask for dedication, or he/she may be told that he/she may be dedicated if he/she wishes. He/She must of course agree to the dedication for it to be effective, and the Rite must be done by a member of the priesthood of opposite sex to the candidate, although an intermediary can serve if necessary.

Once the candle is lit it must be left to burn out, symbolizing that once the candidate is dedicated she or he will live out this lifetime in the dedicated state.

The lunar phase is not important, but waxing is somewhat better than waning.

Dedication has the result of impressing on the newcomer the seriousness of his/her undertaking the study of the Craft. Dedication of a candidate on his/her first inquiry into the Craft is unusual and should not be undertaken foolishly. Usually it is better to see a candidate for a few times before the Rite of Dedication is performed. The conditions for Dedication are not restrictive.

The candidate should read through the Dedication completely before the ritual begins.

Candle and candle-holder are at hand. They are placed on a low table at which the candidate may kneel. Copies of the Rite are also placed on the table so that the candidate may read from them.

Priestess/Priest:

Do you wish to be dedicated
To the Gods and to the Craft,
That you may learn of them
And that you may join the Craft of the Wise
When you are ready?

Candidate:

I do.
Blessed be my eyes
That have seen this day.

Priestess/Priest:

Blessed bye thine eyes.

Candidate:
Blessed be my ears
That hear thy voice.

Priestess/Priest:

Blessed be thine ears.

Candidate:

Blessed be my mouth
That it may speak of thy blessings.

Priestess/Priest:

Blessed be thy mouth.

Candidate:

Blessed be my feet
That they have led me in these ways.

Priestess/Priest:

Blessed bey thy feet.

The candidate kneels in front of the table, and lights the candle.

Candidate:

O Mother of All,
Creatress of all living,
O Father of the woodlands,
Master of Death,
Will you teach (Name)
That I may learn of thee
And become wise in the love of the Gods,
Strong in the aid of man,
Learned in thy arts,
And skillful in thy ways.

Priestess/Priest:

Beloved,
Do you pledge yourself to the Goddess
To love her
And to the Horned God
To honor him?

Candidate:

Gladly do I pledge myself
To the Goddess, to love her
And to the Horned God, to Honor him.

Priestess/Priest:

Beloved,
Do you pledge yourself to keep silent
Of what you shall learn
And to respect that which is taught you?

Candidate:

Gladly do I so pledge myself
To the Goddess, to love her
And to the Horned God, to honor him,
To keep silent of what I shall learn
And to respect that which is taught me.

Priestess/Priest:

Then hear the charge of the Great Mother,
Called by all names of power among men,
Before whose altars all the world
Has approached in reverence:

I am the Eternal Goddess
Yet I demand no sacrifice…

Rather I give to those who honor me.
Yet I charge you, that if you would be mine
And follow in my ways,
You shall gather yourselves
Once at each full moon
And give worship to me… to your Queen.
Each of you must recognize me
And look at me,
Lest you forget from whom you come
And to whom you are called.
If you would be mine you must honor my charge,
For those things which I have made law
May be dissolved by no man.

Shall you obey this charge?

Candidate:

Gladly shall I obey
The charge of the Goddess.
I pledge myself to the Goddess, to love her
And to the Horned God, to honor him,
To keep silent of what I shall learn
And to respect that which is taught me.

Priestess/Priest:

Then you shall be taught to be wise,
That in the fullness of time
You shall count yourself
Among those who serve the Gods,
Among those who belong to the Craft,
Among those who are called The Mighty Dead.

Let thy life, and the life to come
Be in the service
Of our Noble Lady.

Candidate:

Blessed be this time that marks my life,
That I shall ever after be a child of the Gods,
That I shall learn of them
And embrace them as my own.

Priestess/Priest: (making the Sign of the Pentacle in blessing the candidate)

May the blessings of our Gracious Lady
And of Her hearty Consort
Go ever with thee.

The candidate arises and is usually kissed and congratulated by the priest and then by the other initiates in attendance.